Bay of Plenty District Health Board's CEO is disappointed with the Whakatane District Council's recent decision to discontinue water fluoridation.
'Improving oral health is an important priority for the BOPDHB and we strongly support water fluoridation as part of a comprehensive approach to improving oral health and preventing tooth decay,” says Helen Mason.
BOPDHB CEO Helen Mason.
'I'm pleased that the council will have the opportunity to debate this issue again tomorrow, as it was only in 2013 that a referendum of citizens showed that 65.8 per cent of voters in Whakatane and 70.5 per cent of voters in Ohope wanted to retain water fluoridation.
'Water fluoridation is an important and effective public health measure with proven benefits and it would be good to see it continue in Whakatane and Ohope.”
The BOPDHB's Principal Dentist Dr Rudi Johnson, says New Zealand's most recent national oral health survey showed that children and adolescents living in fluoridated areas experienced 40 per cent less tooth decay than those living in non-fluoridated areas.
'Decay can cause pain and suffering and is preventable. Along with brushing teeth twice a day, eating healthy food and avoiding sugary drinks, water fluoridation also helps prevent tooth decay and benefits everyone,” says Rudi.
Water fluoridation was first introduced for Whakatane in 1972, and the community has experienced the benefits of fluoridated water for over 40 years. Referenda in 1995, 2001 and in 2013 supported water fluoridation.
'There's a strong scientific consensus that water fluoridation is safe and effective in helping protect teeth from decay. Councillors can be confident that a decision for water fluoridation is supported by both science and the community,” says BOPDHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr Neil de Wet.
4 comments
Good
Posted on 11-02-2016 10:30 | By Capt_Kaveman
Just educate to brush more, We just need TCC to remove poisonous chlorine from our supply so we can atleast drink it
Decision changed
Posted on 11-02-2016 13:38 | By Ron
I understand that the Whakatane Council has today changed the decision and now the water will be that of the people in the referendum. Good to see democracy has triumphed.
Hasn't a clue
Posted on 11-02-2016 18:06 | By xenasdad
Brush away in your untreated water supply for all you're worth Capt_Kaveman, that WON'T save you from drinking the faecal bacteria, campylobacter, and other livestock that is the normal reality in un-treated water in NZ. If you find the taste objectionable let a jug sit to degas for a few hours in the fridge. A week of Campy would educate you into the real world for sure!!
Sorry zenasdad but
Posted on 13-02-2016 12:53 | By astex
it is you that hasn't a clue and you have proved that in your post. Water is treated with neccessary chemicals like chlorine to make it safe and none of us has a problem with that. However, fluoride is not a part of that treatment but is a powerful poison. This is, according to most standards ENFORCED MEDICATION. For those that want it in their water you can purchase fluoride tablets to add but why the hell should the rest of us be forced to drink an unneeded additive.
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